Citation Nr: 18147070
Decision Date: 11/02/18	Archive Date: 11/02/18

DOCKET NO. 16-42 479
DATE:	November 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for service connected adjustment disorder is remanded.
Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1969 to August 1973.  He submitted his increased rating claim in May 2013.  In his notice of disagreement, he reported that he has been found totally and permanently disabled by both the Social Security Administration and the Railroad Retirement Board.
In December 2015, the RO requested the Veteran’s Railroad Retirement number, which he provided in January 2016.  However, the Veteran’s Railroad Retirement Board medical records have not been obtained.  As such, a remand is required to obtain any Railroad Retirement Board records.  In addition, the Veteran’s VA medical records should also be updated and he should be afforded an examination to determine the current nature and severity of his adjustment disorder.
The Veteran has asserted that his service connected disabilities prevent him from working and that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service connected disabilities (TDIU).  Pursuant to Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009), a claim for a TDIU either expressly raised by the Veteran or reasonably raised by the record involves an attempt to obtain an appropriate rating for a disability and is part of the claim for an increased rating.  As the issue of a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the adjudication of the other remanded issues, and it, too, will be remanded.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain from the Railroad Retirement Board copies of all medical records.
2. Obtain VA treatment records from Jacksonville and Weikiva Springs VA facilities. 
3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder.  The examiner should describe any functional limitation the Veteran’s adjustment disorder has on his ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.
 
MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	T. Berryman, Counsel